Literacy is a "buzzword" in education today. By definition a literate individual is learned or educated. To address literacy, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has set very high standards to describe what we expect from our students at each grade level. Because information is ever changing and affects how we fuse old and new knowledge, we continually refine our instruction and how we present it to your child. Standards are aligned to our curriculum (classroom instruction) to give teachers and parents guidelines on how to monitor the academic progress of students. This booklet reflects DoDEA's standards or expectations for English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies for sixth grade. You may log on to the DoDEA Web site, www.dodea.edu, for the complete set of standards.

         National studies show that the family is critical to a child's success in school. Understanding what is expected of your sixth grade student enables you, the parent(s), to assess progress. The more you know about the academic expectations for children this age, the more influence you will have in educational progress. By partnering with the Department of Defense Education Activity, you can help your child prepare to become a successful and productive citizen.

Take Time
         Taking time to interact with your child at this age is just as important as when he or she was in kindergarten. If your child has entered a middle school environment, he or she may feel confused or scared by the lockers, changing classes, and longer class periods. Physical development is also greatly affecting the way children this age feel and look. Being accepted by one's peers becomes most important. Your child strives for independence but desperately needs your love and support on a daily basis.

Set Routines
         In sixth grade your child will be more involved in activities outside of the school day. Homework demands will be greater and require more time at home. Your child will require enormous amounts of sleep, food, and exercise at this age. Balancing homework, extracurricular activities, family time, daily chores, and sleep may require your help. Children may not consider homework and daily chores to be a priority in life. If you help set up a daily schedule, including time for homework, your child will gain self-management and organizational skills.

         A designated study time away from television and telephone will promote a good atmosphere for learning. Your child may feel more comfortable with books spread out on the floor rather than at a desk. It is important to have work supplies available and plenty of light over the work area. On days when there is no homework, have your child use the time for reading. If your child is easily distracted, use a kitchen timer to set times for work and breaks. Check homework for accuracy if your child consistently brings home poor grades. If homework is a continual struggle, talk with the classroom teacher or school counselor.

Listen to Your Child
         Societal pressures on children and adolescents today are greater than ever. Your child may be exposed to drugs or alcohol, premature sex, or violence without your knowledge. Television, movies, videos, and video games may expose your child to adult activities.

         Your child will probably be changeable and unpredictable during this stormy time of adolescence. He or she may seem rude and inconsiderate when interacting with others. Irresponsibility and mood changes can be annoying and infuriating. But remember, "this, too, shall pass." Your child is worth the investment of time, so take time to listen to what he or she has to say. Your child will succeed academically with your support.

Encourage Creativity
         "I am not a nut. I am a pioneer." This comment by Betty Miles probably describes how your preadolescent feels. Research projects, current events, environmental issues and other causes, art and dramatic productions, the world of entertainment, sports events, and other activities will attract children at this age. Guide your child in using creativity to explore areas of interest. Creativity is not so much inventing something new as it is recombining old information. Help your child use the Internet, art, music, and writing to explore and use his or her creative mind.

Managing Time
         The need to study outside of the school day increases as students advance from grade to grade. Helping your child learn time management skills is essential not only for academic success but also for success in other areas throughout life. Good time management can ensure that students take the time to process and reflect on what they've done when work is finished. The following suggestions are essential in managing time:

1. Organize a daily schedule-Procrastination is a common characteristic among students. They commonly put off tasks that require planning and extended work. Help your child learn to prioritize tasks and keep a record of work done.
2. Set goals and timelines-As study tasks become more complex and require more time to complete, students must evaluate each task and the amount of time needed to complete it. Your child may set expectations that are too high or too low, so continual monitoring is needed to determine if the quality or quantity of work accomplished is meeting reasonable expectations. Encourage your child to set realistic goals that can be met.
3. Break a big task into smaller tasks-If your child becomes overwhelmed with an assignment that requires an extended amount of time, show how the assignment can be broken into several short tasks with established deadlines. Remember to encourage your child to be realistic, always keeping the due date in mind. Keeping a weekly monitoring sheet will help your child visually plot assignments.
4. Reinforce good study habits-Help your child learn to self-monitor study habits and reward himself or herself for a job well done. Rewards might involve activities that your child would rather be doing instead of studying. A good mindset for this is "Study now and do something fun later."